Background:
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in
the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century
were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan
archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern
islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Geography - American Samoa

Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between
Hawaii and New Zealand

Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has
spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and
pipelines

Geography - note:
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific
Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains
from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean

Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as
defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at
the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

Independence:
none (territory of the US)

National holiday:
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Constitution:
ratified on 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967

Legal system:
NA

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice
President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories,
such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice
president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential
primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last
held on 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Togiola TULAFONO reelected governor; percent of vote - Togiola
TULAFONO 56.5%, Afoa Moega LUTU 43.5%

Legislative branch:
bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members
are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)and the House of
Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an
appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be
held in November 2010); Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held
in November 2012)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
independents 18
note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of
Representatives; election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in
November 2010); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate

Judicial branch:
High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US
Secretary of the Interior)

Flag description:
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and
extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward
the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war
club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk
known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics
that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United
States and American Samoa

Economy - American Samoa

Economy - overview:
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of
the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US
with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna
processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the
primary export. The two tuna canneries account for 80% of employment. In late
September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American
Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and
resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency is
overseeing a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US
Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts
by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by
Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating
hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$575.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$510.1 million (2003 est.)